
The Balkans, also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographic area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the whole of Bulgaria.
The Balkan Peninsula is bordered by the Adriatic Sea in the northwest, the Ionian Sea in the southwest, the Aegean Sea in the south, the Turkish Straits in the east, and the Black Sea in the northeast. The northern border of the peninsula is variously defined. The highest point of the Balkans is Mount Musala, 2,925 metres (9,596 ft), in the Rila mountain range, Bulgaria.
Wikipedia
Balkans as a Travel Destination for European Overlanders
As an Overlander, who is based in Europe or passing through on the way to or from Europe, the Balkans offer excellent opportunities for Overlanding or more adventurous road trips.
There are plenty of interesting places to visit and the opportunity to travel on unpaved roads and stay in secluded spots.
As you will see from our blog there are many choices of route through the region, our first route was by road entering via Slovenia to Croatia to head to Serbia and onto Montenegro, before using the Croatian ferries to explore the Dalmatian coast.
In later years we explored the area further either entering using ferries from Italy to Dubrovnik or leaving via ferries to Italy from Albania.
However you choose to explore the area, you are guaranteed to have an awesome time, for a fraction of the cost of Western Europe.
Latest Post
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Durmitor National Park, Montenegro Maps – Custom Garmin Maps
When we stayed in Durmitor National Park, during our August 2011 trip, the guy who seemed to run the campsite at Autocamp Razvršje, gave us a great walking map, which I kept, being a total map addict. Actually I think he gave one to everyone, so we weren’t special. Anyway, by luck the other day they…
More Balkan Overland Travel Content
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Lukomir Village, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)
Stepping Back in time, Lukomir Village in the mountains above Sarajevo Lukomir is a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the municipality of Konjic. It is situated in the… read more…
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Zeljava Air Base Underground – Yugoslav Secret
We stopped at Plitvica National Park to explore former Yugoslavia’s secret airfield – Zeljava air base underground hidden airbase and abandoned planes read more…
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Catching the Ferry – Vlorë, Albania to Brindisi
We were up very early thanks to having had no sleep. Dan started the day with a 5am swim, that should wake him up! As a result, it was a… read more…
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Finding a Secret Beach in Albania
Being in a hotel last night meant getting away quickly was easy. We started the day with a local style breakfast of feta, tomato, cucumber and bread. Washed down with… read more…
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Checking-out Divjakë-Karavasta National Park and the Beach
Today was about following circles on a map to Divjakë-Karavasta National Park before spending a night in Kepi i Kalas. Despite the heat we did quite well this morning and… read more…
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Heading Off Road to Kostanjica, Montenegro
Today we headed for Montenegro, our cunning plan was to head out on the main roads so we could get there in good time to relax. That is where we… read more…
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Magical Watermills of Plivsko Jezero Lake in Jajce
Jajce is a UNESCO candidate and well worth a visit. It was our next stop on our short overland road trip in Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the way to Sarajevo. We were… read more…
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Almost ready, but where are we going? Can you help?
So tomorrow we depart for our next trip. Yet again I am nervous, this time we are once again unaccompanied, and heading to new territory. Why do people keep asking… read more…
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Unexpected adventure off-road in Serbia
Just been playing with the iPad iMovie app. Last year when we were passing through Serbia on our overlanding trip, we were following the GPS to go from the Studenica… read more…
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Lumbarda, Korčula – Trogir, Croatia
DAY 18: TUESDAY 16 AUGUST 2011 Camping Costs: Kamp Seget 191KN – 1 night We managed to leave early today, perhaps that was because we didn’t sleep due to the… read more…
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DAY 13/14: Žabljak – Donji Morinj (Montenegro)
Camping Costs: Autokamp Ravela €30 – 2 nights + €6 for electricity Today we drove down to the coast of Montenegro. We first took the scenic route out of Durmitor…what… read more…
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Studenica Monastery – Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
DAY 11/12: 9/10 AUGUST 2011 Camping Costs: Autokamp Razvršje €10 – 2 nights We attempted to have a lie in this morning, we managed to sleep until 7.50am! A shower… read more…